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Old Saimin House

You might be surprised to see that the Old Saimin House is run by some fairly young people. Does it matter? Not really. The food is hot and good for the soul on a cool night.

I like the won tun saimin with, of course, my trusty Chinese mustard and shoyu. The place is classic old school. Even the BBQ sticks haven't changed in generations. Don't think kal bi style here. Think meaty chunks of steak on a stick, soaking in a sweet shoyu-based sauce.

OSH wasn't a regular stop for me growing up since it's out of the way for those of us who grew up in Mo'ili'ili. But with Washington Saimin long gone, finding a solid night-time saimin joint is getting tougher. OSH definitely fills the bill.

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Coach Chris and his staff do wonderful work with the softball team at Kaimuki High School. Part of that is fundraising, which he does with a chef's touch. His humble Shoyu Hot Dog bowl sounds simple, but the teri-style marinade and the perfectly fried hot dog with white rice makes this one of my favorite concession-stand meals anywhere. It is local food done with an artist's touch, unlocking the vibrance and flavor of what makes Asian and American foods blend so harmoniously.

It's just freaking good.

1. $6 or less. Yes. This bowl is just $5, well worth it. That's a plus $1 to the overflow of +$.77 from last time, so I'm now +$1.77 for the next time.
2. No fast food/chains. Absolutely home grown here.
3. Tastes good. This tastes ono. Tastes GREAT.

They do so many different meals well at Kaimuki HS concession stand. This is just one.

I wasn't at Maryknoll's gym last night. But Coach Shane was. He took these photos and even the menu just to inform me about how good the Garlic JUMO Shrimp was, and also how much value. While other places have their costs and needs, like $5 saimin at other concession stands, how can you go wrong with $7 for this?

I am not going to say I wish I was there. I had work to do. But in the future, I will continue to support the Maryknoll concession stand and eliminate my hunger pangs at the same time. Goodness is everywhere.

Why didn't I ever stop in at Agu Ramen Bistro over these past 4+ years? I pass by Isenberg Street almost daily. This is my childhood neighborhood. Bowl-O-Drome with the 8-pound balls for us tiny Summer Fun kids. Long gone. Chunky's Drive In, sitting on what Mrs. Thelma Odo once told us was a natural spring from the ancient days. Also long gone, now replaced by First Hawaiian Bank.

When Agu sprouted up, my first reaction was "ramen bistro?" This is not a fancy neighborhood. Ramen is ramen to me. Can't really fancy it up. So I passed. I never thought to go, or even peruse the menu online. Probably too expensive.

But over the weekend, I finally caved in. The wait, 15 minutes outside, was fine with me. I had to try this version of Kotteri Ramen: black garlic oil-infused. Especially since Tenkaippin (in Kapahulu) stopped serving their Kotteri recently. (I'd been warned that it was not only off menu, but about to disappear from the kit…